Open protocols are set, non-proprietary communication standards that allow smart heating controls and boilers to ‘speak’ to each other, regardless of manufacturer, sharing data such as flow and return temperatures, sensor inputs, and fault codes.
Historically, many heating systems used a basic on/off control, where a thermostat would demand heat, and the boiler would fire at full capacity until the set temperature was reached before switching off completely. While simple, this method often leads to inefficient cycling, higher gas usage, and unnecessary wear and tear on components.
Open protocols change this by enabling:
- The heating control to determine the most efficient flow temperature for current conditions
- The boiler to modulate output rather than operate only at 100% or 0%, allowing it to run steadily at 20–30% when appropriate, reducing cycling.
- Improved comfort and efficiency while lowering running costs for homeowners.
- Diagnostics to be shared between boiler and control, allowing faults to be more easily identified.
With the UK government’s December 2024 consultation proposing mandatory use of open protocols by mid-2026 for gas combination boilers and controls, open protocols are set to become the industry norm, ensuring homes are heated efficiently to meet carbon reduction and fuel-saving targets.